Arson Suspect Arrested in Spokane Wildfire Case
A Spokane resident, Aaron F. Farinacci, has been taken into custody under suspicion of first-degree arson related to the Old Trails Fire. This fire is the most significant of three blazes that have ravaged the area, resulting in the destruction of approximately 700 structures and the evacuation of thousands. Court documents reveal that Farinacci was previously questioned by law enforcement in two separate fire investigations last year, although he was not charged at that time.
Farinacci, 37, has denied setting the fire. His arrest follows a tip-off from local resident Paul Child, who observed a suspicious individual at the scene shortly before a fire broke out and provided a description to authorities. Farinacci, who was seen near the fire’s origin, was later detained by law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a backpack with items like waterproof matches and a butane lighter. His bail is set at $1 million.
Investigations and Background
The two other fires in the Spokane area have been attributed to human actions, though investigators have not determined if they were intentional. Farinacci, who previously served a prison sentence for manslaughter after killing his father in 2010, was questioned by authorities last year in connection with fires near his apartment and a state park. Despite these interactions, he had not been arrested until now.
Eyewitness Account Leads to Arrest
The arrest followed an eyewitness account from Paul Child, who noticed Farinacci acting nervously near the fire’s origin. “You get the feeling this guy’s up to something,” Child recounted. After reporting his observations to the police, Farinacci was identified and detained. Although initially released, further investigation led to his arrest when a wildland fire investigator ruled out natural causes for the blaze.
Community Response and Legal Proceedings
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels highlighted the role of community vigilance in Farinacci’s arrest, stating, “It was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings…that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci.” Farinacci appeared in court via video link, with his arraignment scheduled for Thursday. Efforts to contact his family for comments have not yet been successful.
Drone Interference and Firefighting Efforts
The fires have severely tested local and federal firefighting resources, drawing over 1,000 firefighters to the area. On Monday, firefighting aircraft were briefly grounded due to drone activity, prompting federal authorities to authorize the disruption of unauthorized drones in restricted airspace.
The devastation left by the fires is stark, with neighborhoods showing a contrast between destroyed homes and untouched properties across the street. Residents returning to their homes have found little left, with some properties reduced to just the chimneys.
